engleski

Development of rural tourism in Croatia: an example of Istra county

Croatia is a country where tourism has been important economic activity in second half of 20th century. Favourable natural conditions, cultural heritage and favourable geographical position to emitive tourist markets of Europe have been prerequisites for tourist development. Long and fragmentized Adriatic coast with many islands and mild Mediterranean climate have been main resource upon which mass tourism was developed. Therefore during last 40-50 years tourism in Croatia was predominantly maritime (costal). Tourism in continental rural areas, especially farm tourism, was marginalised. National parks, like Plitvice lakes for example, have been only places in rural areas with more developed tourist infrastructure and number of visits. In the mid-nineties Croatia got it's first legislation on rural and farm tourism. 7 years after officially recognizing tourism on farms, at the beginning of 2002. there have been 177 registered tourist farms in Croatia. Over 1/3 of them are in Istra, northernmost Croatian Adriatic region. Last years Istra is according to number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays the most successful county in Croatia (30 % of all tourist arrivals and 37 % of overnights stays in Croatia, 2001.). Beside natural and cultural heritage it was geographical position (the Adriatic region closest to Western Europe) and the fact that during aggression on Croatia in first half of 1990's Istra was far from war zone what was favourable for recent overall tourist development, and also for rural tourism. Social and economic ties with Italy which has experience in agroturismo helped to transfer know-how and even some Italian citizens developed agriturismo facilities in Istra.

rural tourism; agrotourism; farm tourism; Istra; Croatia

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